Drum Castle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Drum Castle
Drum Castle in 2007
General information
Type	Tower house
Town or city	Drumoak, Aberdeenshire
Country	Scotland
Coordinates	57°05′42″N 2°20′17″W / 57.09503°N 2.33794°W / 57.09503; -2.33794
Construction started	13th Century
Owner	National Trust for Scotland
Design and construction
Architect	possibly Richard Cementarius

Drum Castle is a historic castle located near Drumoak in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. For many centuries, it was the home of the chief of Clan Irvine. The name "Drum" comes from the Gaelic word druim, which means 'ridge'. The castle is about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) northeast of Banchory. It is also about 3 miles (5 km) west of Peterculter. Today, the National Trust for Scotland owns Drum Castle. It is open for everyone to visit and explore.

What is Drum Castle's History?

The oldest part of Drum Castle is its tall, strong tower. This tower was built in the 13th century, around the 1200s. Some people think a famous builder named Richard Cementarius might have designed it. He also built the first bridge over the River Don in Old Aberdeen. Drum Castle's tower is special because it is one of the three oldest tower houses in Scotland. It has also stayed mostly the same over hundreds of years.

How Did Drum Castle Change Over Time?

Over the centuries, Drum Castle grew bigger. A large new part, called a wing, was added in 1619. This was done by the 9th laird, or owner, of the castle. Later, during the Victorian era (in the 1800s), more changes were made to the castle.

Who Owned Drum Castle?

In 1323, Robert the Bruce, a famous Scottish king, gave the castle and its land to William de Irwyn. William was a trusted helper and secretary to the king. Drum Castle then stayed in the Clan Irvine family for a very long time, over 650 years! They owned it until 1975.

Drum Castle played a part in the Covenanting Rebellion in the 1600s. Because of this, the castle was attacked and taken over three times.

Drum Castle in 1829

In the 1800s, Alexander Forbes Irvine of Drum lived there. He inherited the castle in 1861. He helped restore parts of the castle, like the courtyard, in 1875 and 1876. He also added a new arched entrance and a small tower.

The Castle's Chapel

There was an old church on the castle grounds. It was changed into the castle's chapel in the 1500s and 1600s. In 1857, the chapel was updated. A new roof was put on, and some parts inside were restored. A beautiful stained glass window and a silver Madonna statue are still in the chapel today.

What is Drum Castle Like Today?

Drum Castle is now a very important historical building. It has been listed as a "Category-A" property since 1987. This means it is a building of great national importance. The Irvine family agreed to give the castle to the National Trust for Scotland in 1964. This agreement officially started in 1976.

What Can You See and Do at Drum Castle?

Drum Castle is a popular place for visitors. You can explore the castle itself, which has amazing old furniture and paintings. One special room is the grand Victorian library, which holds over 4,000 books!

The castle also has a beautiful Garden of Historic Roses. This garden is spread out over four different areas. You can also find a playground for kids, a small shop, and a tearoom for snacks. The castle, its gardens, and the surrounding land are open to visitors all year round. In 2019, almost 50,000 people visited Drum Castle.

Ancient History Around Drum Castle

The area around Drum Castle has a very long history. People lived here even in prehistoric times. There are old archaeological sites nearby, like Balbridie.

Long ago, Roman legions marched through this area. They used an ancient path called the Elsick Mounth. This path helped them avoid wet, boggy land. Drum Castle was built in a smart spot to watch over this important path. It was a good place to keep an eye on anyone traveling through.

Images for kids

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  The Rose Garden at Drum Castle

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  Walled Garden, Drum Castle

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  Gateway of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle

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  North-East corner of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle

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  Southern boundary of the Walled Garden at Drum Castle

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  Drum Castle Chapel

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  Drum Castle chapel Interior & Altar